<p>Is UGA better school than USC...really, don't know? </p>
<p>My child wants a southern school, we loved the campus at USC. Worry about the job outcome at the end and also the fact she is going in undeclared and wondering what kind of help and support students get at both UGA and USC. </p>
<p>PA State was awesome on their admitted student day as far as helping undecideds figure it out without having to change majors several times prolonging grad. date, also internships, recruiters coming to campus, and huge alumni association. But expensive and not the south.</p>
<p>UGA immediately worry about party atmosphere. We visited on Sunday and first building we saw was a frat house with beer cans on the lawn everywhere and chairs on the roof - not good. I realize that is at every college but....people keep telling me Georgia is no. 1 party school. Is the educational reputation excellent besides that? I would think it would be since it is harder to get into than Pa State and USC.</p>
<p>Any input on these three schools would be greatly greatly appreciated. Down to the wire for decisions.</p>
<p>Academically, UGA is a better school than USC. All three have greek life and party scenes and also have serious students. (Academically, it’s probably PSU, closely followed by UGA and USC quite a bit below but USC has programs that might be of special interest.) Did you visit UGA on a football weekend? The campus is a mess afterwards from all the tailgaters and that might be what you viewed. That’s not usually the case (and the University has been trying to control the tailgaters).</p>
<p>Here’s a link to an NPR series on Penn State that could scare you off from there (and sounds worse than anything that happens at UGA):</p>
<p>Really wanting to like Georgia but somehow even though its not as big as Penn State it didn’t seem well represented in their quick 45 minute tour. It was all about Football and yes about classes but much more about life at UGA. Penn State it was all about the purpose of college and jobs at the end with a good representation of football clubs etc. Just wish Penn State was smaller and in the south for my daughter. USC seems like she would be able to have a life at school, be able to not only manage school but shine academically, and be safe. But not sure how well respected in the end USC is academically. </p>
<p>Going on admitted tour this weekend at USC – we’ll see how that goes.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine that party scenes at South Carolina and GA are much different. (For the record, many parents on this board will see USC and think the University of Southern California.) </p>
<p>My son preferred USC to UGA but we are in GA and he didn’t want to go to UGA. I was very impressed with USC, UGA doesn’t do a good job marketing themselves. I know hundreds of bright kids who could have gone to many other schools that are at UGA because of HOPE. Ninety-nine percent of them are very happy. (The only one I know who isn’t happy really wanted to go out of state, but couldn’t for financial reasons.)</p>
<p>Are you out of state for any of these schools?</p>
<p>I immediately assumed South Carolina from the OP’s first post. Her son was looking for a Southern school and she mentioned UGA was harder to get into (which would not be true with Southern Cal).</p>
<p>USC in Calif is southern too But agree, Calif is harder to get into than S Carolina. </p>
<p>All schools will have some partying. I also live in GA, and know that there is a big pull to UGA, but I also know students who have been happy at USC. I think both have a strong greek presence. Sorry this doesnt help much :(</p>
<p>I know my kid does the roll-your-eyes-at-Mom thing when I mention partying. I think with the huge school spirit comes the partying. Work hard and party hard. But loved U of S.Carolina campus. Lots of kids from the DC/MD/VA area go there. Just contemplating the fact that it was way easier than the other schools she got into and how will that translate at the end with her degree when job hunting. Again super impressed by Penn State and their presentation. But gosh the campus at U SC seems so much more relaxed and safe than any other school. Wish I could combine Penn State and U SC. ug!!</p>
<p>UGA I’ve been told by three people so far to watch out for the partying. But the degree has more value/prestige than USC? Guess that is what I am asking.</p>
<p>PA State?? Penn State or PSU please. I think you’ve picked three party schools that aren’t very different from each other aside from location. As everyone has said they also have good academic rep’s, but that partying stuff can trip a student up.</p>
<p>I prefer Penn State personally, but I’ve known kids who have done well from UG and USC as well. What is your homestate? Are the costs comparable? I wouldn 't worry about the “prestige” of the schools; the atmosphere and what works for her is the most important thing.</p>
<p>If you are OOS, be aware that is a bit difficult when so many kids at these schools know each other. I have one at an OOS public this year, and it’s been rough for him as he is not very social. We warned him, so he went in eyes open, but knowing it and living it are two different things. The same with the temptations that the parties bring out.</p>
<p>I know I wish Penn State was in the south and smaller. My daughter is really leaning towards U of SC even though Georgia was her number one choice until we visited the campus. Harder to get into but U of SC just seems more relaxed where she could have a life and study and do well. </p>
<p>At what point as a parent do you say ok – its her choice even though you have reservations about the reputation of the school? I’m just hoping that she can do well after the four years is up. </p>
<p>My D is at UGA and loving it. There are a few regular parent posters on cc that have students at UGA. From what I can judge most have similar situation. Try and read some of the posts by gadad on the UGA forum. He writes very well and makes a lot of good points.</p>
<p>My d turned down 6 other schools for UGA ( full disclosure she did get the foundation fellowship at UGA). I was initially surprised that she choose UGA. She had the offer of a full ride to a small top twenty LAC. Her perception was that all these kids did was party. At UGA she has the choice to go to a Frat party on Friday night, eat dinner Downtown, go to a concert, sporting event, poetry reading etc.Lots of ways to get involved without partying.Their are kids that party at UGA, but there are also a lot of kids that don’t.</p>
<p>Are you in state for UGA? HOPE and in state tuition is a compelling reason to attend UGA. PM me if you have any specific questions.</p>
<p>Penn St, USoCarolina, and UGa will all have about the same amount of partying…so set that issue aside. </p>
<p>If you don’t care about cost, then let her go where she wants. </p>
<p>As for which school is the #1 party school…ha ha…there isn’t just one school that can claim that (it’s not like anyone goes around and polls how many kids went to a party the previous eve.). Virtually all big Div 1 football schools are party schools…and some non-football schools as well. </p>
<p>Frankly, when you get 18-22 year olds together without any parents, you have parties…unless it’s a bible school.</p>
<p>Thanks again all. Yeah - maybe I am treating her more like a 15 year old than an almost 18 year old who will have to make decisions on her own come fall. Its the helicopter mom in me.</p>
<p>I just have reservations about U of SC and UGA. UGA harder to get into and more rep. but U of SC is calmer and seems more my daughter’s speed. </p>
<p>Just want the best education she can get for her ability - without too much struggle/anxiety for her plus the help in the end with jobs internships. </p>
<p>Penn State had the jobs/internship thing, SC and UGA have the southern rah-rah she wants for college life, UGA has a better rep and SC is calm campus and she would manage well.</p>
<p>ugggggg!!! We are OOS so tuition is comparable between the three within a few thousand dollars, unless we pick the academic common market degree which would give her instate at U of SC. Which she is also thinking of. Which would be awesome.</p>
<p>Any other thoughts both positive and negative first hand experiences with the schools would still be appreciated.</p>
<p>Of these, U of SC is the most generous in granting in state tuition to students who receive a certain level of merit scholarships. When DD was accepted the cost of attendance would have been less than in state VA. Did she get any scholarships there?</p>
<p>USCarolina’s merit is largely scores driven. A great GPA alone won’t get merit. Strong scores and GPA get merit from USCarolina. What was her SAT or ACT?</p>
<p>Let her pick the one she wants…the partying level will be the same at all the schools. </p>
<p>Since you live in the DC area, I would think USC is easier to get to.</p>
<p>She has 3 great choices. Is it feasible for her to visit the schools again? Maybe stay over night in the dorms with current students and attend a class or two.</p>
<p>Where did she feel the right fit? Maybe time to create a spreadsheet and document pros and cons for each school.</p>
But agree, Calif is harder to get into than S Carolina. </p>